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Learning Guides
(Formerly known as Supplemental Programs) There are many ways to communicate with others that are available to each of us. One way that is frequently overlooked or not thoroughly considered is amateur radio. Over 500,00 person in the US are licensed to utilize the many amateur radio bands. Our latest USPS® Course, Cruise Planning, devotes a section to communication and points out the benefits of amateur radio to the cruising yachtsman.
Amateur Radio
The Amateur Radio Supplemental Course describes the Amateur Radio Service administered by the Federal Communications Commission. While the Supplemental Course is not a course in itself, it explains each class of amateur license, the nature of each examination, and the examination procedure with Volunteer Examiners.
The Supplemental Course offers suggestions for organizing a class to acquire a license and recommends materials for study that are available through the Ship's Store. Each of the ham bands is described with its sub-band allocations by license class and mode of operation. Also, a description of propagation conditions affecting each band is provided.
This program describes "virtually every method known to man" that the skipper of a wood, plastic or aluminum hull can use to adjust the compass, ensuring that the vessel's precise heading may be determined easily -- in any weather!
Starting with a general overview, the program goes on to cover use of the pelorus, manipulation of the corrector magnets, installation and alignment of the compass, and a light touch on the fundamentals.
Described in the text are the methods to determine magnetic heading by bearings on the sun, ranges, reciprocal bearings, bearings on distant objects and the Darrach or "sun compass" method, as well as appraisals of when to use each.
This text describes the interacting forces affecting hull stability and how this, in turn, affects safety and comfort on the water. It deals with underwater hull shape as designed for different purposes and gives the reader examples of how the marine architect deals with the sometimes contrary considerations of overall design.. The reader will begin to learn why designs are done the way they are and will understand the basic terms used.
A section on power and propulsion will help clarify this much misunderstood, but vital aspect of design. Rudders, steering gear and construction details and materials are covered as well. Useful ratios are defined and illustrated with line drawings. For the serious boater, it is fascinating reading. For the amateur boat builder, it is a must.
Did you ever wish you could come up with something a bit more original that "thingamabob" when discussing the great variety of tools for measuring, hitting, splitting, turning, cutting, removing, gripping, fastening, etc.?
This program has the answers. Along with descriptions of use are well over a hundred illustrations of tools for the above purposes, as well as many others. Included is information on: adhesives, abrasives, torches, soldering and a section on the safe operation of power tools.
The material in this Supplemental Course is for anyone who ever needs hand tools -- not just the boat builder or owner. It will help you do things safely, correctly and efficiently.
This pleasant, non-technical introduction is intended to help the novice begin to enjoy the wonders of the night sky. No prior familiarity with astronomy is required in order to follow this easy-to-read guide to the stars, planets and major constellations. The text covers the northern hemisphere. The objects described can be seen without instruments.
The emphasis is to locate and identify prominent patterns and the principal objects they contain, particularly those of interest to navigators. This is done in easy steps and is organized by seasons of the year. There are notes on observational techniques, history and biblical references.
The Junior Navigator student will find this a convenient, but not necessarily complete star guide. Others will find it a handy reference when sitting in the yard one evening and wondering about the heavens.
This program covers the basics of small sailboat handling. Included are: nomenclature, sail handling, the tiller, points of sailing, relationships between the wind and the moving boat, action of the keel of centerboard and other points of interest to the novice sailor or someone who wants to know how a sailboat works.
An indispensable part of a mariner's knowledge is his/her ability to manage line and to tie a variety of knots and splices. This Supplemental Course details the accepted methods of cutting, joining and dyeing line, as well as a description of the tools used and the basic theory of line usage.
Excellent step-by-step diagrams of 60 individual knots, hitches, splices, line endings, loops, bends, toggles and decorative knots are presented.
Emphasis on instruction methods, practice boars and knot demonstration boards is designed to motivate the student to pass-on this knowledge to others.
When this program is finished successfully, you will be thrilled with your unusual ability to make your craft safer and more functional.
The study of oceanography is so vast and technical that it is a pleasure to have this well worded, non-technical introduction to the many facets of such a fascinating science. The program covers marine geography, including earth crusts, tectonic plates, fractures and movement, ocean chemistry, effects of weather and the aspects of ocean movement, including tides, currents and waves.
Even those without scientific backgrounds will enjoy the text and will want to dig further into this basic earth science.
This program is a blend of two USPS objectives - SAFETY and EDUCATION . Its purpose is to help the student acquire basic boat handling ability without frills or superfluous information. The idea is to learn how to operate a boat safely in an emergency without the throes of panic.
It consists of three classroom lessons which cover: situations requiring immediate action, boat handling and use of the radiotelephone. A fourth session on the water in the family boat is a practical demonstration of the classroom work. A helpmate section provides reference on what to do in situations requiring first aid, special needs of guests, useful knots, radiotelephone procedures and boat handling. A Skipper Saver Patch and Certificate are available for presentation to those who successfully complete the program.
Course descriptions Copyright © 1995 United States Power Squadrons. All Rights Reserved.
Please send comments to the webmaster: Bob PotterThe information presented here does not represent the official view of the USPS. It is information from and for use by members of the DuPage Power Squadron and other USPS squadrons."USPS®", "United States Power Squadrons®" and the USPS ensign are registered trademarks of United States Power Squadrons, Inc.